Christa

Christa is a German and Danish feminine short form of Christina, which derives from the Latin Christianus, meaning follower of Christ, itself from the Greek Christos, meaning the anointed one. The name gained wider use across Europe through the influence of early Christian saints and the popularity of the name Christina in medieval and modern times. It came to broader English-speaking attention in part through Christa McAuliffe, the American teacher and astronaut who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Related forms include Krista, Christine, and Christina.